Young Members of Alaska Legislature Form Bipartisan Caucus to Address Issues Most Important to Millennials

(Juneau, AK) Today, Representatives Jason Grenn (I-22) and Geran Tarr (D-19) and Senator David Wilson (R-D) announced the creation of the bipartisan Alaska Future Caucus, a brand-new caucus comprised of state legislators under age 45. The announcement is part of a nation-wide movement in state houses across the country where millennial legislators are seeking to find common ground in an era of hyper-partisanship. With the launch, Alaska becomes the 26th state to join Millennial Action Project’s national State Future Caucus Network.

The caucus will focus on issues that Millennials care about, including student debt and clean energy. Alaska’s Future Caucus will be part of the Millennial Action Project’s national effort to support young elected officials as they work to break through partisan gridlock and reestablish political cooperation.

While there has been a great deal of attention directed at dysfunction and gridlock in government, there is a counter-movement underway–led by Millennials–that seeks to disrupt the status quo in government. Millennial Action Project hopes that as additional younger state legislators course a path of bipartisanship and cooperation, they will be able to bring this perspective to Washington. Currently, 15 millennial members of Congress began their legislative careers in state houses.

“The State Future Caucus Network is a fantastic opportunity for young legislators to put party differences aside, and come together to create bipartisan solutions to the most important issues facing future generations,” said Steven Olikara, Founder and President of Millennial Action Project. “I’m grateful that Reps. Grenn and Tarr are leading this critical effort in Alaska.”  

“Serving as Co-Chair of the Alaska Future Caucus is a great honor. As we look toward the future, we need to ensure an ongoing bipartisan dialogue to better address the issues facing Millennials, and make sure these issues are a priority of the Alaska House of Representatives,” added Rep. Grenn.  

Rep. Tarr noted, “I’m thrilled to lead the Alaska Future Caucus with Rep. Grenn and Sen. Wilson to prioritize people over party, and support young legislators in working towards a culture of political cooperation.”  

“Collaboration across party lines is crucial to ensure we find common ground on issues facing Millennials. It is an honor to Co-Chair the Alaska Future Caucus with Reps. Grenn and Tarr, and I look forward to fostering bipartisan dialogue among young legislators,” said Sen. Wilson.